Gender as a Social Construct: (re)defining Roles in Italian Society Trends in Social & Global Studies Program Fall 2016 Semester - Florence

This course introduces students to the field of Gender Studies, particularly within an Italian context. It examines ways in which gender roles in society have been constructed and how these roles have changed and continue to transform on personal, political, and social levels. Students will study the main changes to Italian society since WWII as they specifically pertain to women?s and men?s lives. Readings and discussions will focus on relevant topics such as: the ways in which gender ideas, values and roles are learned, shared and contested; sexuality and reproductive rights; family and same-sex unions; gender-based violence and much more. Working critically and collaboratively, students will examine all issues within their social, political, economic and historical context to establish an interdisciplinary connection between the various aspects of women's and men?s lives in Italy. This interdisciplinary approach will give students the tools to analyze a wide range of issues and to reassess conventional disciplines, helping to integrate questions of gender, sexuality and ?difference? in the curriculum.

This course was previously offered under the title: Being a Woman in Italy: Redefining Gender Roles in a Changing Society

*This course is cross listed as ANT321